Hypoxia-tropic Protein Nanocages for Modulation of Tumor- and Chemotherapy-Associated Hypoxia.

ABSTRACT: Despite its central role in tumor progression and treatment resistance, poor vascularization that necessitates penetration of therapeutics through tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes a significant challenge to managing tumor hypoxia via conventional systemic treatment regimens. In addition, methods to target hypoxic tumor cells are lacking. Here, we discovered that human ferritin nanocages (FTn) possess an intrinsic ability to preferentially engage with hypoxic tumor tissues, in addition to normoxic tumor areas. We also developed a simple method of endowing FTn with spatially controlled "mosaic" surface poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) coatings that facilitate deep penetration of FTn through ECM to reach hypoxic tumor tissues while retaining its inherent hypoxia-tropic property. Hypoxi

SUBMITTER: Huang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8323471 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature